From: Angusson-AT-aol.com
Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2007 12:50:14 EST
To: puptcrit-AT-lists.driftline.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] What is it about puppets?


Hi Ed:

Thanks. 

RE; Creepy puppets.
To be fair, I should share this. 
Last year, I was doing a presentation to a drama class at Central Connecticut 
State University. There were perhaps 60 students in the hall. I was showing 
some of my marionettes in an open exchange with the kids. (Show and tell!) HA!

I have a DIVA marionette, styled / designed to work with the great Gloria 
Gaynor song "I Will Survive!" You know the look. Big hands and hair and a snazzy 
gown. 
So when I brought her out, 'she' struck a strong pose much like what one 
might expect from a DIVA. 

One female student cried out loud: "(expletive!) She's CREEPY!" 

I got a real kick out of that and asked her why she felt the puppet was 
creepy. Essentially, she felt that it was weird to see something she knew to be a 
puppet move the way the DIVA did. (For a simple marionette, she has quite a 
range of movement.)   The student was having a difficult time finding an 
acceptable ( reasonable?) response (for her) to this moving figure she knew to be a 
puppet.

Rufus Rose said that part of making a marionette (or puppet) believeable, was 
to make it appear to 'think.'   Kermit Love said that a puppet should not 
'ACT' but react.' 

I think that perhaps part of the 'creepyness' (for some) is the fact that 
some puppets seem to take on a life of their own and this is an 'unreasonable' or 
unacceptable phenomenon for some to deal with.   That moment when the 
audience is totally taken with the character and oblivious of the puppeteer is a 
powerful moment. It's magical. One 'knows' (as a performer) when it happens.

I have held that the argument regarding 'the willing suspension of 
disbelief.' is overrated. I wrote a piece a while back suggesting that if the puppet 
performance is strong enough, we believe. Period!

One more thing, please. 
Alice touched on something I should have mentioned. That is (to paraphrase) 
that sense of WONDER that allows some of us to buy into the magic in our lives. 
  It's all around if only we'd allow ourselves to see and appreciate it.   To 
be able to hold on to that child-like quality is a struggle in this world 
full of cynicism. 

Thanks,
Fred T.
> -----------------
> A thoughtful response to the article!
> 
> I was carrying a puppet from a sidewalk storefront out to my car one
> day and we surprised a passerby as we came out the door. The puppet
> started a greeting and the young woman said "Oh no no, get away from
> me!" and she really did seem creeped out.
> 
> And I suppose everyone has had kids burst into terrified tears when
> confronted with a puppet. Why are psychologists talking about puppet
> phobia? There seems to be a fascinating tickle when you go across the
> line between animate and inanimate. I've never thought puppets are
> creepy, but I get the tickle, I understand how people could feel that
> way.
> 
> To me it has nothing to do with necromancy or otherness, it's a way I
> can make things and put on a show with friends. ...but still, there is
> that certain something about puppets.
> best,
> Ed A
> 
> 

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